Materials:

1 skein (of approximately 100 yds.) hemp, cotton or linen yarn. (Sample worked in Rock by SWTC.)

US 13 16" circular needle, 1 extra needle.

Stitch marker, stitch holder.

Bottom of Bag:

Cast on (CO) 14 stitches (sts). DO NOT JOIN.

Knit 30 rows for 15 garter ridges on both sides.

At the end of the final row go around the corner and pick up and knit 14 sts along each of the other three sides of the square, for a total of 56 sts.

Place market to designate the beginning of the round and begin working in pattern as follows:

Bag Body:

R1: k2tog , YO around

R2: YO, k2tog around

Repeat these 2 rounds until bag measures 8 inches.

(You will notice that this makes a double YO or double k2tog at the end/beginning of the rounds. Be sure that these alternate and that the YOs don't jump over the marker. )

Bag Top:

Decrease around as follows: *k2tog 7 times; k 14; repeat from * 1 time. (42 sts.)

Work 8 rounds of garter stitch in the round: (knit one round, purl one round) 4 times.

Shoulder strap:

k7, bind off 14 loosely. k7 and place these 7 on a holder,

bind off 14 loosely. 7 sts remain on needle.

Working flat in Garter stitch (knit every row) these 7 sts until strap measures 18".

Put the 7 sts on the holder onto another needle (of any size).

Work three needle bind off to attach the two sets of 7 sts.

Et, viola!

Weave in ends and your bag is ready for use.